; 



196 






Class 
Book. 



Journal of the Late A6lions 



FRENCH AT CANADA, 



COL. NICHOLAS BEYARD, i.^^:^^^^^^) 



LIEUT. COL. CHARLES LODOWICK. 



NEW YORK: 
REPRINTED FOR JOSEPH SABIN 
I 868. 




(b 



-b 



€ 



NOTICE. 



rr^HE Traft, of which the following pages are a reprint, is one of 
extreme rarity — the prefent impreffion is from a copy in the 
pofleffion of Mr. John Carter Brown, of Providence, the only 
one known to the publifher. 

In the original edition the author's name is miffpelled as Col. 
Reyard, in other refpefts the prefent is a verbatim et literatum 
reprint. 



OF THE EDITION, 

I 50 Copies are printed, of which 
25 Copies are on large paper. 

Number, f/ 



7' 



A 

JOURNAL 



O F T H E 



Late Ailions 



O F T H E 



^xtnth ui €muh. 



WITH 



The Manner of their being Repuls'd, by His 
Excellency, Benjamm Fletcher^ Their Majefties 
Governour oi New-Tork. 



Impartially Related by Coll. Nicholas Beyard, and Lieutenant Coll. 
Charles Lodowick, who attended His Excellency, during the whole 
Expedition. 

To which is added, 

I. An Account of the prefent State and Strength of Canada, 
given bv Two Dutch Men, who have been a long Time Pri- 
foners there, and now made their Efcape. 

II. The Examination of a French Prifoner. 

III. His Excellency Benjamin Fletcher^s Speech to the Indians. 

IV. An Addrefs from the Corporation of Albany, to His Excellen- 
cy, Returning Thanks for His Excellency's early Affiitance for 
their Relief. 

^ianfjetr, Sept. nth. 1693. ^trtoarb Cook. 

London, Printed for Richard Baldwin, in Warwick- Lane, 1693. 



THE 



PREFACE. 



AS this following fmall Treatife is a Jhort 
Narrative of fome little Check given by 
the Englifh Gallantry to the Arms and At- 
tempts of France, fo far off as the Indian Ter- 
ritories ; fo it gives us an occafon of confdering, 
How the Great Lewis tnay juflly plume himfelf 
with a Title peculiarly his own, \yz. The great 
Difturber of the World. For, tho the Bloodieji 
and moft ABive Scene of that Monarch's Ambi- 
tion feems bounded within the Confines of Europe ; 



The Preface. 

yet is there hardly that moji dijiant Region or 
Nation, the very utmofi Corner of the Univerfe, 
but has fome Footfteps of his Afpiring Arms. 
For, befides the Tragick Theatre he has made 
within the Bowels of Chriftendom, not to inftance 
his Leagues with Mahomet, the unnatural Sub- 
jeBion of his mofl Chriftian Crofs to the moJi Anti- 
Chriftian Crefcent, his Ambition has been a little 
bufe too in the American garter of the Globe. 
"Tis true, his Strength has neither been formidable, 
nor his Stars favourable in this Remoter Stage. 
Juftice feemSy at leaf, to the American Climate, 
to reign Lady of the Afcendant, in carrying Victory 
to the Honefter Side ; witnefs the feveral Advan- 
tages obtain d, not only in the following Expedition, 
the fubjeB of our prefent Treatife ; but in divers 
other Advances of Their Majejlies Profperous 
Arms in thofe Parts. 

But, as this Preface is only a Compliment to my 
Readers Introdudion, / jhall leave him to the 



The Preface. 

Entertainment he finds, only ajfure him ; we have 
this Credit to the Truth of our Narration, That 
'tis no more than what has been already Printed at 
New-York by his Excellency 'j- (the Commander in 
Chief in the Expedition) particular Authority 
there; and now made Public k Here, for the Sattf- 
faBion of all fuch Honeft Englifh Readers, as 
can take Pleafure in the Succefs of their Countrefs 
Arms and Intereft. 



A 



Journal of the Late Aftions 

of the 
FRENCH of CANADA, &c. 



SUNDAY, the 12th of February y 1692. 
about ten a Clock at Night, an Exprefs 
from Lieut. Colonel Beeckman of JJljier County, 
gave his Excellency an account of Advice from 
Albany, of the French and Indians, confifting of 
550, being within twenty Miles of ScheneBady 
on the 8th. Inftant an Hour before Day, ready 
to fall upon the two firft Caftles of the Mohaques. 
Whereupon His Excellency ordered the Col. 
of the Militia of the City of New-Tor k to draw 
out his Regiment the next Morning. 



[8] 

Monday the 1 3th, Orders were fent to Col. 
Court land of Kings-County^ to detach out of their 
Regiments a hundred and fifty Men, to be forth- 
with ready to Imbarque at the Ferry. 

About eight a Clock in the Morning the City 
Regiment being under Arms, his Excellency on 
Horfe-back, at the head of the Regiment, 
demanded. Who were willing to follow him to the 
Frontiers againjl the Ene?ny ? They unanimoully 
threw up their Hats, and cryed, One and all. 
Upon which the Colonel was ordered to detach 
150 of the fitteft Men, to be under the Com- 
mand of three Captains, with their Subalterns, 
ready at the firft Beat of Drum, and difmiffed 
the Regiment, and ordered all Sloops for Tranf- 
portation to be fecured. About ten a Clock his 
Excellency did fend the Exprefs forward to Col. 
Beechnan, with Orders to get all the Horfes in 
the County of JJlJier together in readinefs, to 
carry his Excellency and the Detachments from 
Kingjlone to Albany by Land, in cafe the River 
was not open, and to forward any Confirmation 
of the News to his Excellency. 



[9] 

Tuefday the 14th, by break of Day came an 
Exprefs from Major Ingoldsby, confirming the 
former News, and that the two firft Caftles were 
taken by the French and Indians. Whereupon 
eight Sloops were ordered with neceflary Provif- 
ions and Ammunition to go round the Fort, and 
to be ready to Sail, and the Detachment of the 
City Regiment did immediately Imbarque. 
About four a Clock afternoon, the Tide offering, 
his Excellency, attended with the Officers of the 
Detachment and feveral Volunteers, did imbarque 
and fet fail. 

Friday the 17th, about 9 a Clock his Excel- 
lency arrived at Albany (being 50 Leagues diftant 
from New-Tor k) with five of the Sloops, having 
met with much Ice in the River, which gave 
fome Difficulty ; the reft arrived towards Even- 
ing. 

As foon as they came on Shore, his Excellency 
ordered Captain Schuyler to march 50 of the Men 
for ScheneBady ; about a 1 1 a Clock his Excel- 
lency followed, with 16 Horfe, leaving Inftruc- 
tions with Col. Beyard to forward all the reft of 



[>°J 

the Detachments, as they did arrive towards 
ScheneBady, without lofs of time, together with 
the Ammunition and Provifions. 

About 3 a Clock afternoon his Excellency met 
Major Ingoldsby, about 8 Miles from Schenectady, 
on his Return from Albany, having gone from 
thence to vifit ScheneBady that Morning. His 
Excellency arrived at ScheneBady (being 20 Miles 
from Albany) about 5 a Clock. About 9 a Clock 
at Night Capt. Schuyler with his Men arrived, 
and found Provifions and Quarters in readinefs 
for his Men. Saturday M.ornmg the i8th, by 
break of Day, the Men were ready to be tranf- 
ported over the River, but a violent Storm did 
hinder their Tranfportation till Afternoon, and 
fundry Indian Women loaden with Provifions 
were fent along with them : This Day about 
Noon Major Merrit, with the refi: of the City 
Detachment, did arrive at ScheneBady, and were 
immediately furnifhed with Quarters, Ammuni- 
tion, and Provifions, ready to march next Morning. 

Sunday the 1 9th, by break of Day, the refi: of 
the Forces that were fit to march, did attempt to 



get over, but great quantities of loofe Ice did 
hinder till about lo a Clock, the Ice fetling, they 
got over it on Foot, which in two Hours after 
was difperfed, and the River open again. This 
party carried a further fupply of Provilions and 
Ammunition. 

Monday the 20th, by Break of 'Day, thofe of 
the City Detachments who were not able to 
march the Day before (being refrefhed) his 
Excellency detached from the Garrifon of Sche- 
neBady^ fo many of them as made 42, who did 
immediately march with 1 3 Horfes loaden with 
Provilion and Ammunition. 

About 2 a Clock afternoon arrived at Schenec- 
tady Capt. Stillwell with the Detachment of 
Kings County, coniifting of 50 Men, who were 
ordered to refrefh themfelves till next Morning, 
and 3 Horfes with Provifions ordered to be in 
readinefs to attend them. 

Tuefday the 21ft. The Horfes being carried 
over the River, and the Men ready to be tranf- 
ported, came an Exprefs from Major Schuyler, 
giving Intelligence of his being near at hand on 



[12] 

his Return, who arrived about 4 a Clock after- 
noon, upon which the Men and Horfe were 
remanded, and fent back to their own Home. 
There marched by his Excellency's Order, to 
joyn Major Schuyler, fince his Arrival 208 effec- 
tive Men, befides Guides and Carriers of Supplies, 
with confiderable quantities of Provilions and 
Ammunition, which are lince returned. 

fVednefday the 2 2d. His Excellency returned 
for Albany y accompanied with Major Schuyler, 
and feveral of the Forces came from purfuit of 
the Enemy, and arrived about 3 a Clock after- 
noon, much diffatisfied at the Enemies efcape. 

His Excellency did order Major Schuyler, with 
fome other Officers to give the Journal of their 
Ad:ion in the Woods. 

At 4 a clock arrived Col. JVillet at Albany, 
with 1 20 Men from ^eens County, who were 
next Morning remanded home to their Habita- 
tions, together with the reft of the Detachments. 
At Night his Excellency fent to call thofe Indians 
that were returned from the Fight, to meet him 
next Morning at Albany. 



[>3] 

Thurfday the 23d. A Proclamation ifTued, 
requiring all the out Farmers to draw themfelves 
into Neighbourhoods, for their better fecurity 
agrinft the fculking Enemy, and to fortify with 
Stockadoes. 

Fryday the 24th. His Excellency received an 
Addrefs from the Corporation of Albany^ con- 
gratulating his fafe Return, and returning Thanks 
for his early Affiftance with his perfonal Prefence 
for their Relief, ^c. 

Saturday the 25th. The Indians being arrived 
laft Night, and giving their Attendance, this 
Morning his Excellency, being accompanied 
with the Magiftrates of this City, and the Soul- 
diers and Militia in Arms, came to the City Hall, 
and made his Speech to the Indians, which was 
Interpreted to them by the Interpretefs Helle. In 
the Afternoon they gave their Anfwer to his 
Excellency by the fame Interpretefs. 

Sunday the 26th. About 8 a Clock in the Morn- 
ing, four of the chief Sachims came to his Excel- 
lency, with fome further Proportions, which he 
immediately anfwer'd to their Satisfaction. 



[h] 

Monday the 27th. His Excellency caufed a 
Proclamation to be publifhed, prohibiting the 
felling of Rum to xh^ Indians y and did imbarque 
for New-Torkj where he arrived Thurjday Morn- 
ing following, and was received with fuch 
Expreffions of Joy and Thankfulnefs as the place 
could afford. 

Nicholas Beyard, | Col. 
Char/es Lodwick ) Lieut. Col. 







y4 Journal of the ASiio7is in the Woods, 
between the French and Indians. 



IN Obedience to his Excellency's Command, 
Feter Schuyler Mayor, with the other Offi- 
cers under his Command, gave this following 
Account of their Proceedings fince the firft Intel- 
ligence of the Enemy's defcent into the Country 
of the Mohaques. 

February the 8th, being Wednefday, about 2 
a Clock afternoon, we had the Alarm from Sche- 
neBady, that the French and Indians had taken 
the Mohaques Caftles ; foon after we had the 
News, that a Young-man, called Jan Baptiji van 
Eps, (taken at ScheneBady 3 Years ago) was run 



[i6] 

over from the French, as they were to attack the 
firft Caftle of the Mohaques, and come to Siche- 
neBady who related, that the French were 350 
Chrijiians and 200 Indians Major Ingoldsby fent 
forth-with his Warrants, to command in the 
Farmers of Capt. Genits and Capt. Tunis' s Com- 
panies of Mihtia. This Night Lieut. John Schuy- 
ler 2.n& Cornet Abeel with ^^ Horfe marched to 
ScheneBady, 

February 9. Cornet Abeel came exprefs from 
ScheneBady, and defired that Major Schuyler or 
Major JVeJfels might be fent thither to pacific 
the Indians, wh-o were enraged that no Chrijiians 
went out in purfuit of the Enemy. Upon which 
Major Schuyler at his own Requeft was permit- 
ted to go that Evening. As foon as Major Schuy- 
ler arrived there, he fent out Scouts to fpy the 
Forts and the Enemies Motion, and withal to go 
and warn the Tionondoge Indians of the Enemies 
coming, but they having gone i 2 Miles, returned 
about 1 2 a Clock at Night, faying, they could 
not get over the River. 



[«7] 

Feb. lo. Major Schuyler fent Lieut, yohn 
Schuyler and Lieut. John Sanders, and fix more 
to view the Mohaques Fort that was pofTeffed by 
the Enemy, who brought News, that the French 
were in both the Forts ; of all which he gave 
advice to Major Ingoldsby at Albany. 

Feb. 1 1 . Major Schuyler fent i o Chrijlians and 
40 Indians to lie near the Enemy, and to watch 
their Motion, who made a fmall Fort to retreat 
into, and fo fpyed what the Enemy did. 

Feb. 1 2. News was brought to ScheneBady by 
fome of the faid Scouts, that they had heard firing 
at the Mohaques Forts, which was fuppofed the 
Tionondoge Indians againft the French; which 
News Major Schuyler fent forward to Albany. 
Whereupon Major Ingoldsby detached about 200 
Men out of the feveral Companies of the Militia 
Fuzileers and Troop, commanded by Capt. Peter 
Matthews, Capt. Arent Schuyler, Capt. Benj. 
Phips, Capt. Kihad van Renjlaer, and Capt. Tho. 
Gartin, who arrived at ScheneBady about 2 a 
Clock afternoon, and joyned Major Schuyler : 
The Waggons with Bread arrived that Night. 
3 



[.8] 

This day our Scouts brought us the News, that 
the French were there ftill, and that they had 
alfo cut off the third Caftle of the Mohaques, 
called, Tionondoge, and that none of the upper 
Indians were come down ; all which was adver- 
tifed to Major Ingoldsby forthwith, and Major 
Schuyler fent to him for Orders to march. 

Feb. 13. This Morning having received no 
anfwer of the faid Exprefs, Major Schuyler fent 
another to march, and being preffed with the 
Indians, who threatned elfe to defert us, was forced 
to march the Men over the River without Orders, 
which came about i a Clock in the Afternoon, 
when moft of the Men were got over the River. 
This very time we had News by our Scouts, that 
the French had burnt the Mohaques three Caftles, 
and were marched away, which Major Schuyler 
ordered Lieut. Toung to lignifie to Major Ingolds- 
by. We marched 1 2 Miles that Evening, being 
273 Chrijlians. In the Night about 10 a Clock 
one of our Scouts came in, and told us that 600 
of our uppermoft Indians were coming down ; 
Major Schuyler forthwith fent the fame Meffen- 



[■9] 

ger, that brought us the News, to Major Ingolds- 
bjy and delired that Provifion and Ammunition 
(hould be fent after us, not knowing what the 
Indians might have occalion for. 

Feb. 14. About i or 2 a Clock in the Morn- 
ing we decamped, and marched to the fmall Fort 
that was made by our 50 Scouts, about lix a 
Clock in the Morning, where we had Advice, 
that the Enemy was not above eight Miles from 
us ; upon which Lieut. Harme van Slyk and two 
Indians were fent to difcover the Enemy, who 
brought us word they were marched ; two Indians 
came to us with News, that there were 300 of 
our upper Indians within 20 Miles of us, where- 
upon we fent two Indians back to haften them 
up, and to let them know we were there to joyn 
them. We fent three Mohaques to difcover the 
Enemy ; about 4 a Clock in the Afternoon we 
decamped, and marched to the Place where the 
Enemy had lain the Night before. 

Feb. 15. In the Morning two of our Indian 
Scouts returned, (the third being run over to the 
Enemy) who brought us News they had feen 



[20j 

the Enemy within ten Miles. Our Indians came 
up with us about 12 a Clock, being 290 Men 
and Boys, fome Armed, and fome without Arms, 
a Confult being had, we marched about four a 
Clock, and encamped all together, having marched 
about ten Miles that Afternoon. This Night a 
Confult was held, and Spyes fent to difcover the 
Enemy. 

Feb. 16. We marched early in the Morning, 
and having gone ten Miles, found the place where 
the Enemy had lain two Nights before ; we halted 
there, an Oneyde Indian came from the Enemy, 
being fent to our Indians to debauch them over 
to the French, which MelTenger we did not think 
fit to fend back, being one of the Prifoners taken 
at Tionondoge. We fent an Exprefs to Major 
Ingoldsby to acquaint him that the Enemy had 
built a Fort, and were refolved to fight us, and 
fent for fupplies of Provifion, Ammunition, and 
Men. We marched on toward the Enemy, and 
met with one of our wounded Indians, who 
informed, that the Enemy fi:ayed for us in a Fort; 
upon which we marched about two Miles, where 



a Chriftian Boy [Arnant the Interpreters Son) 
came to us, who had been three years a Prifoner 
among the Frenchy he gave an Account, that the 
Enemy were about 6 or 700 Men, and within 
three Miles ; we marched forward to find fome 
convenient place to Encamp, and to fortifie our 
felves from the Enemy that Night: We had 
Scouts out [Chrijiians and Indians) all Night to 
watch the Enemies motion, who brought an 
account in the Morning, that we were within a 
Mile of their Fort. 

Feb. 17. We decamped, and marched towards 
the Enemy with Scouts before us, and did not 
take a dired line, but went round, for fear of an 
Ambufcade, and came in fight of their Fort about 
eight a Clock in the Morning, where our Scouts 
came and fhewed us where the Enemy lay ; upon 
which all the Officers were commanded to take 
their Pofts, and make ready to engage, being 250 
Chrijiians, and 290 Indians ; the Enemy feeing 
us, gave three Huzza's, which we anfwer'd with 
as many, and as loud as they, and made the Woods 
ring : our Indians went to work to fall Trees, 



[22] 

and fortifie ; but the Enemy fallyed out imme- 
diately ; we engaged them, and beat them back 
into their Fort ; our Indians fell to work again, 
and delired our ChrijUans to help, which they 
did ; the Enemy fallied out with all their Strength 
a fecond time, encouraging their Men, crying, 
'T^hey run, we will cut them all off, and get their 
Provijions ; We received them briskly, and beat 
them back into their Fort, with the lofs of fev- 
eral of their Men : Our Men fell to work again 
about the Fort ; the Enemy fallied out the third 
time, but were as well repulfed as before, and 
beat into their Fort with confiderable lofs, our 
Indians bringing feveral of their Heads and Scalps 
into our Fort ; after this the Enemy was quiet, 
and we finifh'd our Fort : as foon as this Skir- 
mifh was over, we fent an Exprefs to Major In- 
goldsby, to acquaint him what had palfed, pray- 
ing him to haften our Recruits with Provifion 
and Ammunition, for that the greateft part of our 
Men had not had any Provifion in two days time ; 
we fent our Scouts of Chrijiians and Indians all 
that Night, to difcover our Enemies Motion, and 



[23] 

lay all Night in our Fort ; it was extream bad, 
cold, fnowy Weather. 

Feb. 1 8. Being cold ftormy Weather, and 
Snow, infomuch that we could fcarce fee any 
Trad: ; our Scouts came in this Morning, which 
gave Account that the Enemy were in their Fort, 
fome being ftill popping at our People. About 
nine a Clock an Indian that left the French in 
their Fort, told us. He thought the Enemy would 
retreat, that they were packing up thdr Baggage. 
Upon which Major Schuyler ordered the Captains 
to draw out their Men to march round the Ene- 
my's Fort to ftop them ; but the fame time had 
an Account they were fled ; he commanded the 
Officers to purfue them, and to hinder their 
Retreat, till Men and Provifions came up ; but 
the Men wanting Provifion, refufed to march ; 
the Officers, with 60 Chrijiians, and fome Indians, 
purfued the Enemy till they had made a fmall 
Fortification ; but the Officers not having Men 
to engage them, nor to make a Fort, returned 
back, leaving two Officers with 40 Men and 100 



Indians to watch their motion, expecSting our 
Provilion to come up that Night. 

Feb. 19, About 7 a Clock in the Morning 
we had an Account that our Provilions were near 
at hand, which came up to us about nine or ten 
a Clock with 80 Men, commanded by Capt. 
Simms ; the Provifions being immediately diftrib- 
uted among the Men, thofe that were iirft ferved, 
were commanded away after the Enemy, with 
five Baskets a Man : About four a Clock, the 
Van being commanded by Capt. Peter Matthews 
and Capt. Arent Schuyler^ came up near the Rear 
of the Enemy, the Scouts telling us the Enemy 
were within lefs than EngiiJJD Mile ; we defired 
the Indians to joyn with us to fall upon their 
Rear, till the reft of our Men came up, fending 
in the mean time to our People, to march up in 
all hafte ; but the Indians halted ; and could not 
be perfwaded to march, the Mohaques being moft 
unwilling, becaufe the Enemy had dropt feveral 
Prifoners, who told them, that if they purfued 
them, they would kill all their Wives and Child- 
ren, whom they had Prifoners ; after an hours 



[25] 

Confultation of the Indians, moft of our Men 
came up, we marched with all fpeed, thinking 
to overtake the Enemy before they got to the 
River-fide ; but there being a flake of Ice in one 
part of the River, and all open above and below, 
the Enemy got over before we got up : We 
encamped by the River-fide that Night. 

Feb. 20. In the Morning Major Schuyler 
refolved to march over the River, to purfue the 
Enemy, ordering the Officers to get the Men 
ready for that purpofe ; but many of the Men 
being wearied with fatiegue, their Shoes being 
quite wore out, and Provifions fcarce, were not 
able to make any further purfuit : But that which 
did mofl of all difcourage us, was, that the Indians 
had great averfenefs to purfue or fall upon the 
Enemy, becaufe of their Wives and Children ; 
whereupon we marched back. 

In this Engagement we lofl four private Soul- 
diers, and four Indians, two Officers, and twelve 
4 



[26] 

Chrijlians, and Indians wounded ; and we had an 
Account by fome of our Indian Prifoners that 
made their Efcape, that we killed of the Enemy 
33, whereof we found but 27, among which was 
their Commandant, one Captain, and two other 
Officers, with two of their commanding Indians, 
and 26 Wounded. We refcued between forty 
and fifty Prifoners. 

Since their Retreat we are informed by divers 
of the Prifoners who come home daily, that all 
our Men Prifoners except five, have made their 
efcape, or are fet at Liberty, and but few Women 
and Children left with them, not being able 
to carry the Prifoners off, by reafon of their 
Wounded Men, whereof they carried thirteen. 

As we did not hear, fo we could not exped: 
that your Excellency fhould in fo fhort time (at 
that Seafon of the Year) be advanced fo near us 
as to ScheneBady, and that fo confiderable Sup- 
plies could be fo fpeedily got together : And we 



[27] 

obferved it was no fmall Encouragement to our 
Indians to fee your Excellency at the head of 300 
Men, befides Volunteers, for our Relief, and 
theirs ; of which we are all fenfible. 

Peter Schuyler, Major. 
Peter Matthews, Capt. ] {K.V. Renfelaer, Capt. 
Arent Schuyler, Capt. J [ Benj. Phipps, Capt. 



The Examination of Andres Cafparus 
and Cornelius Claefe van den Bergh, 
both Dutchmen, taken before his Ex- 
cellency Benj. Fletcher, Governottr, 
who have made their Efcape from 
Canada, who were Prifo7ters there, 
and have been 3 2 Days by the Way. 

THE fa id Cornelius Claefe van den Bergh was 
taken at CanaBagiere in July, 1691, a 
little before the Mayor Peter Schuyler went to 
Canada, and Andres Cafpares who was gone out 
with fome of our River Indians laft fall to hunt, 
and withal, to fee how the far Nations, called, 



[3°J 

the Turchtuicks lived, was taken laft March by 
a Party of Turchtuicks and DavaganhaeSy and 
brought to a Caftle where the faid Indians lived, 
and was there to be burnt and eat by the faid 
Indians, from whence he run away that very day 
he received his cruel Sentence, and was fixteen 
days in the Woods, and came to a place where 
Monfieur Tontys People were making a Fort, 
and the faid Monf Tonty, and Monf La Free 
brought him to Canada. 

The faid Prifoners fay, that the French in- 
formed them, that there were ten Ships come 
from France with Provilion and Amunition, but 
no Men, fcarce fo many as could fail their Ships, 
that they had brought 1 20000 pound of Flower, 
and 160000 pound of Pork, alio fome great Guns, 
and two Mortar Pieces. 

That there is a Fort built below Rebeck, in a 
narrow Paffage where Ships muftpafs ; the French 
fpoke of two Forts, (but an Englijh-man told him 
only of one Fort,) and twelve Guns in each Fort. 
They had 1 600 Souldiers three year ago, of which 



[3'] 

a looo are killed and taken; this is befides 200 
Inhabitants who are killed. 

The faid Cornelius has lived all this while at 
the Governour of Mont Royal's Houfe, called, 
Monjieur d' Cellier, and judges there are about 
400 Men in Mont Royal with Souldiers and all, 
although the faid Monfieur d' Cellier often told 
them, they had 700 Men there. 

There is a Man come over with thofe Ships to 
be Monf d' Cellier' s Cook, who fays, that the 
Englijh had fallen upon the French Fleet una- 
wares, and done them fome damage, and purfued 
them to Breji, and if they had come but a quar- 
ter of an hour fooner, they had taken Breft, and 
all the Provinces of Brittanine. 

The French have loft this Summer 37 French, 
and 70 Indians at one time, going up the Falls to 
Ottawawa, and at a fecond time they loft 30 
French the fame way, and often-times fmaller 
Parties killed by our Indians. 

The faid Andres Cafparus fays further, that 
when he came to the French Houfe, after he had 



[32] 

efcaped from the Indians, the French tyed him 
two days, but he being fo lean and meager, hav- 
ing no Food all that time, but 1 1 Eggs he found 
in a Turkies Neft, and 6 Swan Eggs he found in 
another place, fo that the French did unty him. 
About eight days after Monfieur Tonty came, 
(who is in the manner of a Governour among 
them) and he went down with the faid Tonty to 
Ottawawa, which was 200 Leagues from that 
place ; the faid Tonty difpatched about 25 or 30 
great Cannows full of Beaver to Canada; and after 
they had been two days from Ottawawa, they 
met one Monfieur de Lille, who had been out a 
skulking upon the great River, and had taken 
two Prifoners, who told that 300 of our Indians 
lay at a carrying place on the great River, wait- 
ing for the Ottawawa Company, and 200 were 
near Mont Royal Ifland, upon the fame defign. 
They fiiopt the faid Company till Monfieur Tonty 
fent for them back, and refolved to go to Canada 
with 200 Men Indians and French, without Bea- 
vers, in which Company the faid Andres Cafpa- 
rus came, being reckoned 300 Leagues between 



[33] 

Ottawawa and Canada. As foon as the faid An- 
dres came to Mont Royal, Monlieur Tonty deliv- 
ered him to the Governour of Mont-Royal, who 
put him in Prifon four days, and then releafed 
him to work in his Houfe ; but as foon as he got 
out, confulted with his Comrade Cornelius to run 
away, which they did accordingly. After they 
had been about a Month or five Weeks together 
in the faid Monf d' Celliers Houfe, the faid 
Andres fays, he faw a great prodigious Quantity 
of Beavers at Ottawawa ; an Inhabitant of Can- 
ada, called "Jaques de Tallie, told him he had 
3000 Beavers of his own there, and that there 
was as many Beavers now in Ottawawa as would 
load 200 Canows to Canada, and each Canow 
generally holds nine or ten hundred Beavers, 
which the faid Andres doth credibly believe to 
be true, there being none gone from thence to 
Canada in a great while. 

There is a Fort at Ottawawa burnt by acci- 
dent this Spring where Monf. la Free had the 

5 



[34] 

Command, wherein was great ftore of Beavers 
and Peltry, and feveral Goods and Merchandize. 

This is the Account the /aid two Prif oners gave 
at Albany the 4th. o/' Odober, 1692. and 
is entered down from their Mouths, by his 
Excellency's Command, 

Robert. Livingftone. 



»s%^g»j^^ 



The Examination ^Joachin Lebert, a 
Frenchman of Canada, and Native 
of Mont Royal, taken before his 
Excellency Benj. Fletcher at Albana 
the \th ^Odob. 1692. 

THat he lived at Prerie de lay Magdelain. 
That it is 60 Leagues from Mont Royal 
to Rebeck. That Mr. de Cellier is Governour of 
Mont Royal. That there is 2000 Men carrying 
Arms in his Government, Souldiers and Inhabi- 
tants. That the Town of Mont Royal is inclofed 
with Stockadoes. That there is 53 pieces of 
Canon, Brafs and Iron, eight Companies of Soul- 
diers, unequal in number, 50 Men being the mofl. 



[36] 

That the Fort of Magdelaine contains 23 Fam- 
ilies, 400 men in Arms, 2 pieces of Canon, and 
5 Patteraroes. There is 200 men in the Indian 
Fort, called, Ganawagne. That there is ten Men 
of War arrived at Rebeck, from France^ laden 
with Ammunition, and that he faw the faid Ships. 
That he hath been taken 43 days, and fays, that 
the day before his being taken, he being at Mr. 
Celliers Houfe, he faw a Canow arrive there from 
Mr. Le Count, fent to Mr. Cellier to demand the 
Collers of Beeds, which are ufually prefented at 
the concluding a Peace, the which occafioned 
him to fay, there was Ambaffadours coming to 
treat a Peace. 

Upon the Objedtion made, that there could 
not be fo many People in Canada, he fays, that 
the two Frenchmen that were fent to Tork fome 
time lince, being now at Canada, did inform Mr. 
Le Count, that the Englijh had aflembred all their 
Nations, with a delign upon Canada, which 
obliged Mr. Le Count to raife all the men he 
could poffible, which was that Number he /aid : 
And fays, he knows nothing more. 



His Excellency Benjamin Fletcher's 
Speech to the Indians at the State- 
Houfe m Albany, February 25, 1692. 

BRETHREN, 

IT is not unknown to fome of you, that I 
came laft OBober into thefe parts upon no 
other occafion than to view the Fronteers, and 
put them into the beft pofture I could, to fecure 
us and you, from the Attempts of the French, 
and their Indians, our Enemies and yours. And 
in order to this, I fent a fupply of Ammunition, 
Artillery, and Chrijlian Souldiers, fufficient to 
prevent any Infult from our Enemies, and it had 
the effed: I expeded, for they durft not face the 



[38] 

weakeft of our Garrifons. I came now for your 
Relief, and have loft no time ; the fame day that 
I had an account from hence that our Enemies 
were in this Countrey, I put my felf on board a 
Sloop, and brought with me 150 Chrijlian Soul- 
diers, belides Volunteers, and arrived here before 
J could be expedted ; I then immediately marched 
to ScheneBady, from whence I fent you Supplies 
of 200 and odd Men, Ammunition, Provifion, 
&c. with which thofe that joyned you before, 
under the Command of Major Schuyler^ might 
have fecured an entire Victory, and prevented the 
French and their Indians from any poffibility of 
getting back to their own Houfes ; but it has 
pleafed God to order it otherwife. I had alfo 
200 Chrijlians more upon their March, who 
arrived here, and would have been a confiderable 
Reinforcement to us ; but the Action being over, 
I commanded them back to their former Refi- 
dence, till further Orders. It is obvious to me, 
and I believe to you all, that this Calamity is 
fallen on you by your own Faults. I could never 
fuppofe my Brethren, the Mohaques, would be fo 



[39j 

fupine and carelefs, as to fuffer the French, and 
their Indians, to enter their Caftles without the 
leaft Refiftance. Thefe Men that have an Enemy 
near, muft Jleep with Arms in their Hands, and one 
Eye open ; that is, they muft keep Scouts and 
Spyes, fo as never to become a Prey to their 
Enemies, by their own NegUgence. I muft 
advife you, that for the future you keep ftridt 
Watch, fo that I may have timely Notice of the 
Enemy's Motion, and you will then fee how 
eafily they will be defeated. 

I hope it is now apparent to you, that the 
great King of England is ready to apply his Arms 
for your defence, when you confider, that in a 
very [few] days I am come perfonally to your 
Affiftance, with near 400 Chrijlian Souldiers. I 
have had the Honour to bear Command under 
the great King of England, my Mafter, where I 
have feen the French fly before his Viftorious 
Arms ; and laft Summer it pleafed God to add 
to his Vidories, by the Defeat and Deftrudtion 
of their Fleet, in which moft of their Ships were 
burnt or funk. 



[4o] 

I came now in great hafte, and brought no 
Prefents with me, but delign (by the bleffing of 
God) to be with you at the beginning of the 
Summer, to give you fomething to wipe off your 
Tears for the Brethren that are lately loft, to 
renew the ancient Covenant Chain, and to give 
you further Afliirances of the Great King of Eng- 
land's Favour, and of my own Readinefs upon 
all Occalions to appear as his Servant, for your 
Protedtion againft our Enemies and yours. 

My prefent Care now is, to provide for the 
Mohaques Nation, about which I have given my 
Directions to Major Schuyler, who will appoint 
them a place for their Refidence ; I have alfo 
ordered fome Corn for their prefent Support, 
which they will receive from him. I muft add, 
that it concerns your Honour and Reputation, to 
make fome brisk Attempt upon our Enemies, 
and this with what Secrecy and Expedition you 
can, that thofe People may fee you retain the 
ancient Courage of your Anceftors ; and I do not 
queftion but God will give you Succefs by a 
fevere Revenge on our Enemies and yours. 



[40 

I am informed, that your Young Men have 
killed the Horfes of fome Chrijiian Souldiers, 
who were upon the fame Service with you, (it is 
not Brotherly,) and I defire, for the future, you 
will take care to prevent fuch Outrage, that the 
ancient Covenant Chain may be preferved invio- 
lable on your parts, as it will be on the part of 
my Mafter, the Great King. 

To conclude, I muft tell you, that I doubt there 
is fome falfe Brothers among us, who keeps Intelli- 
gence with our Enemies, concealing their Dejigns, 
and expojing ours; if you have one Frenchman 
among you, he will be true to his Countrey, by be- 
traying you. I have order'd you fome Bread and 
Bear, and defire you will drink the Healths of 
my Great Mafter and Miftrifs, the Vidorious 
King, and moft Illuftrious Queen of Great Brit- 
ain, France, and Ireland, and all Their Majefties 
Territories in America, and fo bid you farewell. 



The Anfwer of the Five Nations, viz. The Mo- 
haques, Oneydes, Onondages, Cayouges, and 
Sinnekes, To his Excellency Benjamin Fletcher, 
Captain General and Governour in chief of Their 
Majejiies Province of New York, &c. in Albany 
this 2.^th. of February, 1692. Sadeganaktie, 
Sachim of the Onondages, Speaker. Interpreted 
by Hille, the Inter pretefs. 

§r0t^tr Cagmqxnrag0, which fignifies a Great Swift 
Arrow, a Name the Five Nations have given 
His Excellency, becaufe of his fpeedy Arrival 
here, with fo many Men for their Relief, when 
the Enemy had fallen upon the Mohaques 
Country. 

TTTHen we arrived at ScheneBady, after our 

^ ' march againft the Enemy, you were 

pleafed to defire us to come hither, where we 

heard you, Great Swift Arrow, fpeak, and par- 



I 44 ] 

ticipated of your Favours ; we acknowledge that 
the Enemy, the French of Canada, have fallen 
upon our Brethren, the Mohaques, and deftroyed 
their three Caftles, which we can attribute to 
nothing elfe but their not hearkening to the 
Great Swift Arrow's good Advice, which was, 
to keep good Guards and out Scouts. 

We return you. Brother Great Swift Arrow, 
our hearty Thanks for your Care in providing 
for the Mohaques, that they may not ftarve, nor 
be in want in this Extremity. 

Brother Great Swift Arrow, You propofe to us 
the attacking the Enemy in their Country to 
fhew them that we have not lost the Courage of 
our Anceflors ; we return you our hearty Thanks 
for your good Encouragement, for we are in a 
manner drunk with the Blood lately fhed by 
them. It is not ufual for us, while we are in 
that Grief and Anxiety, as now we are, to pro- 
ceed to revenge our felves of the Enemy ; you 
have loft your Blood as well as we, therefore that 
Blood ought to be revenged unanimoully by both 
fides. 



[45] 

Brother Great Swift Arrow, You recommend 
us to go and attack the Enemy where they are 
at home in Canada ; but you are acquainted with 
us of Old, that it is our Cuftom, lirft to bewail 
and condole the Death of them killed by the 
Enemy, for we are all of one Heart, one Blood, 
one Soul ; neverthelefs we delign to go out and 
to fall upon the French ; but we muft firft fecure 
our Caftles, fince we know, that the Governour 
of Canada is intended to fend out a confiderable 
Party, but whither we know not. 

Brother Great Swift Arrow, While you press 
us to go and attack the Enemy of Canada by 
Land, we exped: (according to the many Prom- 
ifes and Engagements made to us) to hear of a 
confiderable Force to go with great Guns by Sea, 
that the Enemy might be affaulted both ways, 
and fo overcome ; we prefs this the harder, be- 
caufe a great part of our Strength is now broke, 
and therefore take it not amifs that we pufh this 
Point of taking Canada by Sea, fmce its impoffi- 
ble to be done by Land alone. 



[46] 

Brother Great Swift Arrow, We return you 
our hearty Thanks, that you are fo ready to aflift 
us upon any Occaiion, and for the good advice to 
be watchful, and keep out good Scouts and Spies ; 
it is probable, that we would have done a great 
deal more damage to the Enemy, had we been 
fo well provided with all forts of Ammunition, 
as the Indians of Canada are ; but fome of our 
Men have Guns, and no Powder nor Ball, and 
fome but Bows and Arrows, as Major Schuyler 
faw, when we came up to him ; but the Gov- 
ernour of Canada fupplies his Indians with all 
forts of Arms and Ammunition, which we found 
now we engaged them. 

We pray you. Great Swift Arrow, to have a 
careful Eye over us, fince this Party of the French 
that has deftroyed the Mohaques Caftles is but 
part of his Strength, he is working with the 
Ottawawa and Dowaganhaes Indians, where he 
has a great Magazeen, and fupplies them with 
all forts of Ammunition, and we fear that Force 
will come down upon us ftill. 



[47] 

Brother Great Swift Arrow, We return you 
Thanks for remembring our Dead, and that you 
will condole their Death, when you come up in 
the beginning of Summer, but you can expedl no 
Return from us, being in fo mean a Capacity and 
Condition. 

Brother Great Swift Arrow, You inform us of 
the great Victory that our Lord of Lord (mean- 
ing the great King of England) has got upon the 
French, the common Enemy at Sea, which is 
admirable, and all the Nations are heartily 
rejoyced at it, and we hope that the great God 
that has his Seat above the Heavens, will give 
the fame fuccefs to our great Lord of Lords Arms 
in this part of the World, over his and our Ene- 
mies, the French of Canada. 

We pray that you would be pleafed to acquaint 
our great Lord of Lords (who lives over the 
great Lake) of our mean Condition, and what 
Pofture we are in, and how eafy it is to deftroy 
Canada, if all our great Lord of Lords Subjefts 
in thefe Collonies would unite and joyn together, 



[48J 

with fome Ships that carry great Guns, which 
our great Lord of Lords can eafily fpare us, after 
this late Vid:ory over the French at Sea, 

We delire that you would be pleas'd to order 
a Smith to be with us in our Country to repair 
our Arms, that we may defend us from the French. 

His Excellency replyed. That he hoped they 
were fufficiently fatisfied of his Readinefs to affift 
them, and that the Force the French had now 
fent, was the moft they could make ; and if they 
will but keep out Scouts, and advertife his Excel- 
lency timely of the Enemies coming, his Excel- 
lency does not doubt, with the Strength he has 
in his Province, to deal with the Governour of 
Canada^ and all his Power. 

The Governour granted their Requeft of the 
Smith to be in their Country to repair their 
Arms. 



Propofals made by four of the chief 
Sachims of the Five Nations^ to 
his Rxcellency Benjamin Fletcher in 
Albany the 26th of February, 1692. 

§r0tl^^r great Stoift ^trnfo, 

T"\7E are come to acquaint you, that one of 
^ our Men has laft Night in a drunken Fit, 
killed an Indian that came over from the French, 
at which we are much concerned, and therefore 
come to fee how our Brother great Swift Arrow 
refents it. 

We defire that you will be pleafed to prohibit 
the felling of Rum while the War is fo hot, (ince 
our Souldiers cannot be kept within Bounds, if 

they be drunk. 

7 



[5°] 

Brother great Swift Arrow, We anfwer'd your 
Excelleny's Propofals yefterday, but had not 
time to confult with that deUberation as we 
ought, and if therefore there be any thing omit- 
ted, or if we failed of our Duty, we beg that you 
would be pleas'd to pardon that Omiffion ; for 
we muft declare in behalf of all the Nations, that 
we are fingularly obliged to you. Brother great 
Swift Arrow, for your fo extraordinary Difpatch 
and fuddain Arrival here for our Relief, with fo 
conliderable a Force, the like never having been 
done before, whereby we fee your readinefs and 
alacrity to help and affifl: us. And we do alfo 
return you Thanks for leaving your Directions 
with Major Schuyler to take care of the Mohaques 
Nation. We are thankful for your kind Expref- 
fions, to be fo ready to come for our Relief, and 
that you warn us to come and acquaint you as 
foon as we fee the Enemy a coming a far off, not 
doubting of your Power to proted: us, lince we 
have feen a fufficient Proof of that already by 
this late Expedition. 



[s-] 

Brother great Swift Arrow, We do engage to 
make a narrow enquiry as foon as we come into 
our own Country, about the French Prifoners, 
who we fufpe6t may betray us : we have had two 
Bouts with the Onedeys about the Prieft Milet 
that is among them, and we intend to try the 
third time. 

We defire that you. Brother great Swift Arrow, 
may come up as foon as the Bark is loofe upon the 
Trees, lince we have a defign upon the Enemy. 

We forgot to anfwer you in that Bufinefs about 
the Young-men kilHng the Horfes ; we acknow- 
ledge, its not Brotherly, but very ill done, and as 
foon as we come into our Country we will take 
fuch Methods that it may be prevented, by find- 
ing out them that have done it, caufing them to 
make Satisfaction . 

His Excellency replied, that he was much con- 
cerned that they fhould Exercife their Arms one 
againft another, while there is an Enemy in the 
Field, and hopes they will for the future endeavour 
to prevent fuch Irregularities, That they may be 



[52] 

now fufficiently convinced how ready the Arms 
of the great King of England is to fuccour them ; 
and that his Excellency, for his own part, will 
never fpare to expofe his Perfon for their Security. 
That the Rum fhall be prohibited upon their 
Requeft ; and that the moft he requires of them, 
is to be Vigilant and Careful, and not to fuffer 
themfelves to be Surprized, and then they need 
not fear the French. 



To his Excellency Benjamin Fletcher, 

Captain General and Governour in 

Chief of Their Majeflies Province 

of New- York, Vice- Admiral of the 

fame. 

The Humble Addrefs of the Mayor, Aldermen, 
and Commonality of the City of Albany. 

WE are extreamly fenfible of your Excel- 
lency's fpecial Care, not only for the 
Safety and Security of your Excellen- 
cies Government in general, but in particular for 
the extraordinary Regard taken for this City, 
being the utmoft Frontier thereof, feated near 
One Hundred and Fifty Miles up in the Coun- 
try, whilft the fame was attacked by the Enemy 
of Canada, who had furprized and burnt the three 



[54] 

Caftles of the Mohaques, killed divers of their 
Fighting Men, and led in Captivity upwards of 
1 30 Women and Children ; and that your Excel- 
lency fhould, within two Days after Notice 
received from hence, make that Difpatch, as to 
be here fo fuddenly with 300 Men, and fufficient 
Provifions and Stores of War, for our immediate 
Relief, which was more than ever could be 
expedted in this Winter Seafon. 

We therefore, out of a deep fence of your 
Excellency's unparallell'd Affection to, and Care 
for us, cannot but efteem ourfelves highly obliged 
to your Excellency, and beg of you to accept our 
Unfeigned Thanks ; afluring your Excellency, 
As we ihall never forget your extraordinary Care 
of us ; fo we fhall ever admire and beg the con- 
tinuance of your Excellency's benign Govern- 
ment over us : And lince the Mohaques Nation 
is wholly difperfed by the Enemy's burning all 
their three Caftles, and our Farmers live ftrag- 
ling up and down the Country, in great Danger 
to be cut off by the skulking Indians^ We pray, 
that your Excellency, in your Wifdom, will be 



[55] 

pleafed to order fome convenient Place, where 
the Remnant of the faid Nation may be convened 
together, and fortified for any Attack of the Ene- 
my ; and that the Farmers may be ordered to 
fortifie themfelves in Companies together, that 
the Enemy may not have an advantage of them. 
And we humbly beg your Excellency to be- 
lieve. We are always ready to venture our Lives 
and Fortunes for Their Majefties Service, the 
Defence of this Province ; and with all chear- 
fulnefs and allacrity (hall endeavour, whenever it 
lies in our Power, to demonftrate our true Affec- 
tion to your Excellency in particular, and to 
approve our felves. 

Tour Excellency' s moji Dutiful, and moji 
Obedient Servants, 

Peter Schuyler, Mayor. 
Levinus V. Schaick, Alderman. 
Rymen Barentfe, AJjiJlant. 
Dirk Wefiels, Recorder. 
Evert Banker, Alderman. 
Johannis Rofeboom. 






1^ 



The Houfe of Reprefent^tives for the 
Province of JVew-Vor^, lVed7tefday 
A. M'. March 22. 1693. Ordered, 

THat the Thanks of this Houle be given 
unto his Excellency, for his favourable 
Speech, and his Care of the Frontiers of this 
Province, by the great Difpatch he made in his 
Perfonal Appearance there, upon the late Invafion 
of the French. 

Ordered, That Mr. Wejells, Mr. Pell, Mr. Kipp, 
Capt. Whitehead, Mr. Rutfand, Mr. Theunijfen, 
Mr. Tuthill, and Mr. Barnes, to wait upon his 
Excellency and Council with this MefTage. 

By Order of the Houfe of Reprefefitatives, 

yanies Graham^ Speaker. 
FINIS. 



